Runza Bread Dough Recipes

RUNZAS (BIEROCKS)

Steps:

• Thaw out frozen bread dough; cut each roll into 3 pieces and set aside. Brown beef and cabbage in a large skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Roll out bread dough and cut into squares. Place a spoonful of the beef/cabbage mixture onto the center of each dough square. Sprinkle cheese on top, fold over and pinch sides to seal. Rub a bit of oil on the outside of each pastry.
• Place in a 9x13 inch baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 60 minutes, or until golden brown.

HOMEMADE RUNZAS

Steps:

• Place frozen dinner roll dough on a sheet pan and rise according to package instructions. It will use 2 rolls for each sandwich.
• While dough rises, begin browning your ground beef and onion in a large skillet. When the meat is about halfway done, add in the shredded cabbage and cover with a lid. Cook until meat and cabbage are done. Drain off any excess grease or liquid. Set aside.
• When rolls have risen completely, lightly flour your surface. Remove two rolls and form a ball. Roll the ball out into a rectangle approximately 5"x7".
• Place approximately 1/3 cup of the filling in the center of the dough and spread out from top to bottom.
• Fold the bottom up and the top of the dough down and press to seal. Fold the left side over, pinching to seal. Then do the right side, gently stretching to cover the left. Pinch closed.
• Place each sandwich on a greased cookie sheet, seam side down.
• Let rise again for another 30-45 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Brush the tops with melted butter.
• Bake in a preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until bread dough is golden brown.
• Serve hot.

NEBRASKAN RUNZAS

Steps:

• Make the dough: Combine 3/4 cup warm water (approximately 110 degrees F),the yeast and a pinch of sugar in a large mixing bowl and let sit until foamy, about 10 minutes.
• Add 3 eggs and whisk to combine. Add half of the bread flour and beat with a wooden spoon until good and thready, about 3 minutes. Add the butter, the remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, the remaining flour and the salt and mix well. The dough will be a little sticky. Let rest 15 minutes.
• Knead the dough to develop the gluten until it feels tight and smooth, about 5 minutes. Transfer the dough to a lightly buttered bowl, cover and let it rise for 1 hour at room temperature. Then chill in the refrigerator,1 to 2 hours or overnight.
• Remove the dough from the refrigerator and divide it into 8 even portions. Roll each one into a ball and leave on the counter, covered loosely, to warm up, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the filling: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef, season with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook, breaking up the beef, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer it to a bowl.
• Drain and discard all but a film of the fat from the skillet. Add the butter; when it has melted, add the onion. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until light golden brown, about 15 minutes. Add the garlic, thyme and rosemary and cook 3 minutes. Add the mixture to the bowl containing the beef.
• Without cleaning the skillet, add 1 tablespoon canola oil. Saute the spinach over high heat until wilted and the excess liquid has evaporated, about 1 minute. Chop the spinach, then add it to the beef mixture and set aside to cool.
• Roll out the dough: Flatten a dough ball on a heavily floured surface and roll out into a 3-by-5-inch rectangle. Then make wrapping flaps from the four corners of the rectangle by rolling out each corner thinly so you have a thick rectangle with four thinner triangular wings at the corners.
• Fill the runzas: Spoon 1/2 cup of the beef filling into the center of the dough rectangle and wrap the flaps over it, pinching to close. Flip the bundle over in your hands, gently forming the runza into a fat football shape. Set the runza seam-side down on an oiled baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining filling and dough balls, arranging them on 2 oiled baking sheets. Let the runzas rise about an inch, uncovered, about 45 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Whisk the remaining egg and 2 tablespoons water to make an egg wash and brush it thinly over the tops of the runzas. Bake until golden brown, 25 minutes. Serve hot.

RUNZA CASSEROLE FOR TWO

Steps:

• Mix flour, butter, sugar, yeast, and salt together in a large bowl; pour in warm water. Stir mixture into a soft ball. Roll dough out on a floured surface; knead until dough is elastic, 3 to 4 minutes. Place dough in a bowl and cover with a towel; allow to rise in a warm and dry area, about 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef and onion in the hot skillet until beef is browned and crumbly, 5 to 10 minutes; drain and discard grease. Add cabbage; cook until cabbage is steamed and wilted, about 10 minutes. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Split dough in half. Roll each piece to fit an 8x8-inch baking dish. Press one of the crusts into the bottom and up the sides of the baking dish. Spoon hamburger mixture into crust; cover with cheese slices. Cover cheese layer with second crust; pinch edges of both crust together to seal.
• Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, about 20 minutes. Cover casserole with aluminum foil and bake until filling is hot, about 10 minutes more. Allow to sit for about 5 minutes before cutting.

RUNZA BREAD DOUGH

Steps:

• soften yeast in liquid; add rest of the ingredients. (All done in one bowl).
• Knead together and let rise to double in bulk.
• Punch down and let rise again.
• Turn out on board and divide dough. roll half of dough at a time to about three-eights inch thickness.
• Cut into squares about 5 or 6 inches.
• Place portion of filling in center of squares and bring corners together.
• Pinch openings tight.
• Turn pinched side onto lightly greased cookie sheet.
• Let sit for about 20 minutes.
• Bake at 400F for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.
• Rub melted butter on top and place on rack and cover. (tip, dissolve yeast in a warm liquid, about 100F, or it will deactivate the yeast).

RUNZA DOUGH

Steps:

• Measure 1-3/4 cup flour.
• Add yeast, lard, sugar, milk, water, and salt.
• Mix.
• Add eggs.
• Stir in remaining flour.
• Knead 10 minutes; cover; let rise until double. This takes about 1 hour. Now you can go to other runza recipes and use this dough to wrap around the fillings.
• These are great.